IPV 5 Box Mod Review

iPV 5 Box Mod Intro

In this review we will be taking a look at the iPV5 dual 18650 TC mod made by IPV Technology Co. Ltd. of Shenzhen, China. The iPV5 is powered by the Yihi SX330-200 chip, which delivers Yihi level performance while having fewer configuration options (and thus can be easier to use) than the more advanced Yihi offerings.

We’ll also introduce three essential concepts in objectively evaluating TC mod performance: Ramp to Temp, Temperature Accuracy, and Stability of Temp Regulation, collectively “RTS.” Finally, we will for the first time roll out the Thermocouple of Truth which will show how this mod measures up in terms of its RTS performance.

Notable Remarks

Performance

IPV5 Packaging/Kit Content

Just about everyone is familiar with the three basics of vaping performance: Vapor, Throat Hit and Flavor or “VTF” (if you’ve been stranded on a deserted island for the past several years, check out PBusardo on youtube for plenty of explanation!).

For TC mod performance, the essence boils down to Ramp to Temp, Temperature Accuracy, and Stability of Temperature Regulation, collectively “RTS.”

Ramp to Temp means the speed and profile of bringing the coils to the desired vaping temperature. This is important not only for a fast response of vapor production, but can also subtly change the flavors experienced.

If you think of eliquid as a casserole of flavors, changing the Ramp to Temp can give a flavor perception of everything from the full baked casserole to differing nuances of the separate flavor ingredients for certain eliquids. A fast ramp usually gives the perception of a mod “hitting hard” and will almost always increase vapor production for a given vape time.

You can slow the ramp time to some extent on most mods by adjusting the max wattage, but on a poor performing mod, you can never speed up the ramp time beyond what it’s capable of. As a result, we want to see how fast we can get the Ramp to Temp as part of evaluating performance.

Temperature Accuracy means just that – once the coil reaches a stable temperature, is it the temperature that you set on the mod?

Finally, Stability of Temperature regulation which means how stable is the temperature over the course of each vape once the coil reaches the desired temperature. A TC mod should deliver reasonably stable performance. A mod with temperature varying all over the place isn’t really a TC mod.

The performance of the iPV5 overall is very good. Ramp to Temp is reasonably fast. Temperature Accuracy seems to be spot on. And finally, the Stability of Temperature is very good (all as would be expected from a Yihi based mod).

Time for a Graph

But you don’t have to take my word for it. I connected the “Thermocouple of Truth” to actually measure its performance. Here’s what I found:

iPV 5 Graph

OK, so what is this? It’s a graph of the actual temperature of the coil inside a functional atomizer (I used a Plume Veil I had handy) mounted on the iPV5 for a single vape.

Along the left side representing the vertical, or Y axis is temperature in degrees C. Along the bottom representing the horizontal or X axis is time (8.8 points are plotted every second). The red line shows the actual measured temperature of the coil inside the atomizer as that temperature changes. (The flat green line is room temperature).

What you see initially where the graph starts going up is the Ramp to Temp, from room temperature to about 230 degrees C, at points 15 through 25. I pressed the fire button right when you see the graph move up a bit at point 15. So the iPV5 ramped from room temperature to full vape temperature in about 1.1 seconds.

Also important is the slope of that ramp line – almost straight up to 200 degrees C. In comparing many different mods, I can tell you the iPV5 has a darn good ramp. Not the very best of some more expensive mods, but darn good.

Next we can look at the Temperature Accuracy – the flat portion of the graph along the top shows the temp of the rest of the vape. We see a general “average” of around 230 degrees C or 446 degrees F. I had the iPV5 set to 450 degrees F so we are seeing exceptional Temperature Accuracy.

Finally we look at Stability of Temp – or in other words how flat is the flat part of the graph along the top. What we see is good stability with the iPV5 keeping the temperature within a reasonable band right around the 450 degree F setting.

I have seen flatter and thus more stable results with more expensive mods, but this is still very good. The iPV5 level of Stability is more than good enough that you will not be able to tell it varies at all.

The last part of the graph from about point number 73 on is when I released the fire button. Here you see the coil start to cool back down – a typical exponential decay for the math heads in the crowd.

So in summary, the performance of the iPV5, both in terms of my opinion and as directly measured on the Thermocouple of Truth, is very good. The Ramp is fast, Temp Accuracy very good and Stability very good. This mod passes the RTS test.

Special Features

IPV5 Screen and Buttons

I’d say the main “feature” of the iPV5 is its simplicity of operation when viewed against its top level performance. There are not a whole lot of settings and options to wade through when compared to, for example, a DNA 200 or SX mini ML-Class. Just select coil material, set watts and temp, and vape without thinking about any other settings.

If you want simple with great performance, this may be a device to consider.

Build Quality

IPV5 Battery Compartment

Build quality is good. The finish seems to be a powder coat and has held up well over the several weeks I’ve used the iPV5. It is a heavy, die cast piece that seems like it’s built like a tank.

The battery door definitely moves around and rattles as you handle the iPV5 and that can be annoying. On the plus side, if you slide the battery door down with your thumb, you can just grab the now exposed bottom of it to remove it – no fingernails needed. For me, the battery door design is a con – I don’t like any looseness.

The buttons are metal and do not rattle. Feedback from the buttons is “clicky” and positive.

Looks

It’s always true, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The iPV5 is very sturdy looking, almost industrial to my eye.

I suppose the curved surfaces and accents on the sides give the mod texture and certainly much more visual interest than just a plain box. In some ways it seems to have almost a certain art deco quality to me.

Ergonomics

IPV5 Front

The smooth curved surfaces of the iPV5 feel good in the hand. It does seem to be a heavy mod, but as a result it feels sturdy and well made. The finish has been durable and I’d bet its powder coated rather than painted which adds durability.

Likes

Solid RTS performance

Sturdy, durable feel

Simple to use compared to some of the more complex offerings available

Firmware of the iPV5 is upgradable

Dislikes

Battery door seems loose and rattles in the hand

Early production iPV5 models had an issue with the firmware (see Chris’ article on how to fix that — iPV5 75W Glitch Fix)

Verdict

The iPV5 is another solid performing TC mod which can give Yihi level performance without the ML-Class price. The lack of numerous configuration options naturally does limit the full customization of your vape.

But for the price and simplicity of use, the iPV5 is one mod to take a hard look at when shopping for a dual 18650 TC mod. On the battery door issue, I’d recommend you get a chance to handle it before buying to make sure that won’t drive you crazy.

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Keith, a.k.a, Old Mad Scientist: I have been working in the electronic and computer engineering fields since the “dark ages” (starting in the mid 1970’s) and have been an avid ecig user and tinkerer since 2013. I've been testing vape equipment with an engineering “bent,” and enjoy testing and evaluating new vape equipment and new build techniques.

Yup, it’s definitely one of a kind in the looks department. It is a sturdy feeling beast too. If it did bite, I bet it would hurt. 🙂

gene26

I just got my IPV5, and wanted to give temp control another shot after being unimpressed with my SMOK R80. I noticed you didn’t mention the build you used, which I was hoping to emulate as a starting point. Could you share those details if you still have them? Much appreciated!

Old Mad Scientist

Sure — my most used TC build is 24 AWG TiG1 claptoned with 34 AWG Kanthal A1. Dual coil, 2.5 mm inside diameter, 5 wraps. Comes out at about 0.1 Ohms for the duals. I’ve been using that build as a daily vape in a couple of atomizers for many months — works for me. :). Let me know what you decide on and how it works for you. Thanks!

(Note that the test build for real time thermocouple data is 24 AWG TiG1 so test results between different mods remains consistent.)

gene26

Thanks for the details! Sadly, I only have stainless steel, so I might need get some titanium to experiment with. What are your thoughts on spaced vs contact coils? For spaced, how large or small of a gap between the coils is needed? Sorry for all the questions. I’m really confident with Kanthal, but TC is just a whole different beast!

gene26

Great news! After struggling with the resistance lock that isn’t entirely obvious, I am having great success with a single coil of 24 AWG 316L SS, 2.5mm 5 wraps spaced at ~.24 ohms. It’s been an absolute delight in my Avocado! I do have one last question, which is how many Joules you ran at. I’m finding that it’s oddly cool between 30-40J, but cranking it up to 60J has given me that warmth I’m looking for.

Old Mad Scientist

Great to hear of your success! You might also try increasing the number of wraps (I’d go with 9 on a single coil 24 AWG 2.5 mm). I also prefer spaced coils for a number of reasons. The theoretically ideal spacing is from a half to a full wire diameter between wraps, but in practice it’s not that critical. Basically pretty close but not touching.

My usual setting in TC is to overpower the build to a degree and allow the TC to regulate the temp. On the iPV 5, that was around the 75 joule setting for a dual coil. If 60 is your sweet spot especially on a single coil, I’d leave it there. Sounds just about right. ?

Bill Herbst

Looks like Yihi is making a concerted effort to increase the exposure of SX Pure in the marketplace. They’re upgrading some of their own chips to include SX Pure, so certain existing Yihi mods might get it in a firmware upgrade, and Pioneer4U has recently released the iPV6X 200W mod with SX Pure.